Lonnie Phelps NFL Draft Scouting Report

EDGE, Kansas Jayhawks

Lonnie Phelps is an edge rusher who originally started his career at Miami (OH) before going to Kansas. During his career at Miami (OH), Phelps was a productive player and was named Third-Team All-MAC in 2020 and Second-Team All-MAC in 2021, finishing the year with 9.5 sacks. In his one year at Kansas, Phelps stepped up to the level of competition and was able to continue his productivity with 58 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. 

Phelps is a high-motor edge rusher that can win reps as a pass rusher with quickness and effort. Phelps has a quick first step that he uses to get good leverage on the offensive lineman and uses it as an opportunity to use an inside or outside track to beat the offensive lineman. Staying on the outside track of the offensive lineman and beating them around the arc, Phelps uses a dip and rip move using his low pad height to make it difficult for linemen to get a solid grip on him. He also uses active hands to use a two-hand swipe to beat offensive linemen and propel himself to the quarterback. If offensive lines are able to get out quickly, Phelps can use a spin move as a counter move to get on an inside track and beat them that way. Phelps also profiles as a player that can properly execute twists and stunts to get penetration and get pressure on the quarterback. 

As a run defender, Phelps is best when he can be a backside pursuit defender and has to work down the line to make a play. Phelps is disciplined in QB read-option plays, properly shuffling down the line of scrimmage and staying disciplined not to give up outside leverage completely.

Phelps’ improvements as a player come from his lack of strength, which shows with him as both a pass rusher and a run defender. Phelps appears to be slightly undersized and lacks the length of a traditional edge player and his profile fits more of a traditional inside linebacker mold. Against the run, Phelps can work to sustain the edge but struggles to actually shed offensive linemen and make plays. As a pass rusher, Phelps’ lack of strength affects his ability to use power counter moves. Phelps needs to improve his ability to convert speed to power to give him an opportunity to win with more than just speed as a pass rusher.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• High IQ/instinctual pass rusher   
• High motor/effort   
• Uses leverage to win pass rushes

Top Reasons For Concern: 

• Scheme specific 
• Strength at the point of attack
• Lower-body tightness

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 2”

Weight: 244 lbs

Arm Length: 32 3/8”

Hand Size: 9 1/4”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.55s

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: 31 reps

Ideal Role: Designated pass rusher     

Scheme Fit: 3-4 OLB

TDN Consensus Grade: 68.00/100 (Sixth-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade:  68.00/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures: Texas Tech (2022), West Virginia (2022), Duke (2022), Iowa State (2022)

Lonnie Phelps NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.